BYU sprinter Michael Abbott looks at the scoreboard after completing a race. The Cougars hosted the Last Chance Meet on Friday. (Natalie Saunders)
The BYU track and field team hosted its Last Chance Meet on Friday and many athletes posted personal bests during the event.
The meet was an opportunity for athletes to get in additional performances to improve their times and reach qualifying cut-offs prior to the NCAA West Preliminary next week. Some of the athletes who participated in Friday's meet posted times strong enough to ensure a spot for themselves in the Preliminary, being in the top 48 of the West Division for their respective events.
Associate head coach Mark Robison said he was pleased with the performances of the athletes, who are still improving even this late in the season.
'The fun thing is just how many kids improved,' Robison said. 'How many people PR'ed is just unbelievable. We had a ton that qualified (for regionals). It was just an awesome meet for us to bring things to a close for the regular season and now make the transition into the championship portion, which is the fun part of the year.'
Among those who set new personal bests was true freshman Connor Ross, who ran a time of 1:49.40 in the 800 meters.
Ross said of his run, which is very likely to send him to regionals, 'That's my best outdoors so far, so it feels good.'
Max Scheible and Tyrell Yardley both set personal records in the 400 meters. Scheible posted a 47.80 and Yardley a 46.72, which was nearly a full second off his previous best.
Sprinters Michael Abbott, Dillon Goodman, and Jesse White all posted personal records in the 200 meter. Sophomore athlete Trevor Fuhriman, who ran a time of 1:51.06 in the 800 meters, also posted a personal best.
'This is my fourth 800 this season, and it's my fourth PR, so I've (improved) every time,' Fuhriman said.
As for the women's team, Kensey Berry set a personal record in the 800 meters with a time of 2:08.17, which was almost three seconds better than her previous best.
High jumper Erin Murkley cleared 1.82 meters in her event, placing her in the top 10 in the nation for high jump.
Robison said that the accomplishments of the athletes has brought a lot of excitement to the team as they prepare for the upcoming Preliminary.
The Cougars head to Lawrence, Kansas next week for the NCAA West Prelims, where athletes will compete for a place in the NCAA Championships.